WHITBY -- Downtown Whitby was full of Christmas cheer on Saturday morning as Santa Claus and nearly 80 vibrant floats made their way down Brock Street.

“I’ve had feedback that it was one of the best parades from the police officers and volunteers,” said parade chairwoman Heather Thorburn.
The Whitby Santa Claus Parade, with an ‘Around the World’ theme this year, is put on annually by JCI Durham, a non-profit organization of young people aged 18 to 40. People from different organizations and businesses -- and in some cases, along with animals such as dogs and ponies -- walked or rode the parade route, waving, wishing others “Merry Christmas” and handing out goodies to the excited children who lined the streets.
To Cheryl McFaul, with kids Ashley, 5, and Paul, 8, in tow, there’s no need to go to the big parade in Toronto.
“This parade is just as good as the downtown one,” said the Whitby resident. “It doesn’t have the big floats like downtown, but it’s just as entertaining and the kids love it.”
And although she works for Canada Post, her kids prefer to deliver their letters to Santa at the Whitby parade each year.
Ashley’s favourite part of the parade was simple.
“Santa Claus, Santa Claus, Santa Claus,” she said.
Krystal Royal, who brought her nephew to the parade, still comes to the Whitby event each year despite a move to Scarborough.
“I’ve been coming here the past five years,” she said.
She’s attended the Ajax parade in the past, but prefers Whitby’s as it’s in December instead of November, and it’s not at night.
“It’s awesome this way,” she said. “It’s better when it’s during the day.”
Shelby Rose, manager of Turquoise, a Brock Street clothing boutique, said although business wasn’t overly busy, she feels the event showcases downtown Whitby.
“It’s good that this is going on because it shows people what’s down here,” she said.
But owner of Sports Center, Majid Hussain, said there didn’t appear to be as many parade goers this year as in 2011, which was his first year in business in downtown Whitby.
“It’s colder this year,” he said, adding there could have been more advertising for the parade.
But Ms. Thorburn and other volunteers were happy with the turnout.
“Everybody’s saying the streets were packed,” she said, adding she believes as many turned out this year as last.
She said JCI Durham will open registration for next year’s parade early in the new year. Visit whitbyparade.com for more information.

Kristen Calis covers Pickering and writes a pet column for the Metroland Media Group’s Durham Region Division. Anyone with upcoming animal charity events that they would like listed in Kristen’s Kritters can e-mail kcalis@durhamregion.com.